EXMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
NOTES OF A MEETING OF EXMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL RIGHTS OF WAY WORKING PARTY HELD IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, TOWN HALL, EXMOUTH ON WEDNESDAY 30th april 2014 AT 4.00 P.M.
Present:
Cllr. A Greenhalgh (Chairman) Cllr. Vivian Duval-Steer
Sue Cody (Office Manager) Terry Knights (P3 Coordinator)
Geoff Morris John Petty (Cycle Path Working Group)
Apologies: Cllrs B Nash
Note: Mr. Roger Reffell who had contributed to the Rights of Way Group for many years as a representative of Exmouth Civic Society had informed the Town Council that he wished to step down from the group following discussion with members of the Exmouth Civic Society who felt that attendance at the ROW group did not come under remit of the society.
Notes of the Last Meeting 30th October 2013.
These were accepted and signed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Matters Arising from Last Notes
Terry Knights asked that the two references to ‘permissive path/s’ under note ‘Update on routine footpath maintenance’ be changed to public path/s.
· Topsham Cycle Bridge
This was now finished and members were pleased with the end result as the bridge looked very good.
· EDDC CD on Access Strategy
A copy of the CD had not arrived. Sue would request a copy of the CD Exmouth Cycle Routes from EDDC. Neil Blackmore had left EDDC so John Petty would email the details of the person to contact.
· Croyde Cycle Map type map for Exmouth
Geoff Morris had contacted Mike Harrison, map designer, who was unable to help with the design of a similar map for Exmouth as he was currently very busy updating old maps and working on other commissions. His maps were more suited to rural locations.
· Upper Lovering Report – the report written by ERaTA had been distributed to Town Council members.
Urgent Business
There were no items of urgent business.
Rights of Way Working Party Terms of Reference
Members of the group had a copy of the current ROW Terms of Reference in front of them. Following discussion an addition (in italics) was made to the second reference;
‘To consider the extent to which local rights of way (footpaths, cycle tracks, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to traffic and any other undesignated paths) meet the present and likely future needs of Exmouth’
Plus an additional reference ‘To indentify other opportunities to extend the Public Rights of Way network in Exmouth’.
Note: New Terms of Reference attached in the appendix.
Update on the End of Year accounts, DCC Grant and work undertaken within the last six months - Terry Knights
We had been very fortunate to receive a £750 grant from DCC for the year 2013-14 which together with a residue of £550 from the year before had provided a healthy budget to work within. It was highly unlikely that we would be issued with a grant for 2014-15 as we had funds left and DCC had to make large budget cuts in 2014-15.
A large branch had fallen over Footpath 6 plus several trees had fallen on Footpath 12 between Hulham Road and A la Ronde all of which had been removed. Trees had also fallen on Footpath 4 on Castle Lane on the lane up towards the church. South Western countryside Contactors were the contractors dedicated to responding to requests for tree or branch removal which proved too large for Terry to tackle.
The chairman thanked Terry Knights for all the hard work he had undertaken as a result of the storms. A suggestion was made that the Exmouth Journal be asked to publish an article outlining the good work that Terry had done over the years since 1997. Within the same article the public could be asked to inform the Town Clerk if they came across any potential problems on footpaths in Exmouth. A Rights of Way link could be added to the Town Council’s website which would provide an online facility for the public to report problems on footpaths.
Feedback from the November Parish Paths Workshop – Terry Knights
Terry Knights attended the yearly workshop that was held in Uffculme where discussions took place in the morning followed by an afternoon walk around the parish which identified footpath issues that Uffculme Parish had dealt with over the year. DCC reported that there was currently £2million of work to be carried out on Devon’s public footpaths and towns and parishes would be unlikely to get a supporting grant this year. It is fortunate that there are very few major works left to be carried out on Exmouth’s paths. Footpath 2 around Buckingham close is very muddy but it is hoped that this would be rectified when the Plumb Park development is built. There are no major changes in footpath legislation.
Signage for the cycle route from Buzzard Cycleway at Littleham to seafront
This agenda item formed part of the next agenda item.
Sustran Route 2 – update
John Petty had attended a recent Town Council meeting to put forward a proposal for the cycle route to come through the town from Marine Way and the route along Douglas Ave and Cranford Ave (opposed to Maer Lane) to Jarvis Close. A debate followed on issues associated with cycling through the Strand at busy times and whether cyclists should be asked to dismount.
The Town Clerk had discussed the proposal with the Local Action Group who were supportive and suggested a green stripe be applied to the tarmac section of the Strand which ran in front of the indoor market and along the back of The Clipper parking area to denote the route for cyclists. Good signage would be erected to show the cycle route. A question was raised as to whether the use of Queen St or Tower St would be a safer option. Colp had proposed last year that Queen St traffic be reversed which would allow cyclists to leave the Strand via Queen St and then into Tower St or Rolle St.
John Petty was to meet with Sustrans and DCC the next day with the proposal and report back to the Town Clerk. The ROW Working Party members wished to support the proposal. The proposal would be discussed at the next Regeneration and General Purposes Committee to be held on 23rd June 2014.
New cycling signs had appeared at Manchester Road and Carter Avenue from an unknown source but presumably EDDC.
John Petty was thanked for his input into the project.
The Definite Map
An original list of paths had been previously compiled to be entered on the definitive map to be produced by DCC in the future. More paths, in particular access paths and cycle ways have been created over recent years through new developments and a question was raised as to whether the additional paths should be noted on the map as the definitive map would only show footways, bridleways and byways. It may be useful to invite Ros Mills or Richard Spurway from Devon County Council to attend a Rights of Way meeting, particularly as membership had changed over the years, so that clarification can be given to information needed for the map and whether knowledge held by members of the ROW group would be useful to them.
Letter sent by Jan Pawson to Exmouth Journal
The letter was circulated to members and the content noted, in particular the reference to EDDC’s draft Local Plan which made no reference to Exmouth’s Cycle and Access Strategy. John Petty suggested that this strategy now be referred to as an Access Strategy so as not to focus solely on cycle-paths. Following a meeting with Alison Hayward John Petty had written to Richard Cohen of EDDC to ask for formal confirmation that he was commissioned to officially carry out the access survey on behalf of EDDC and terms of reference for the survey to be agreed.
Concern was voiced over Section 102 money, approximately 100,000 that needed to be spent by the end of March 2015, possibly on the Lower Halsdon National Trust cycle route, Bapton Lane and the route from Exmouth Community College to Moorfield Road.
Contact to be made with Sulina Tullack or David Cook, EDDC Senior Engineer to enquire about the funds and whether the Lower Halsdon National Trust route is scheduled to begin.
East Devon Way – Upper Lovering path
This item has been dealt with.
Siting of beehives
Geoff Morris asked if beehives could be sited within Exmouth. A suggestion was made that he contacts Transition Town Exmouth to enquire if they could take his suggestion on as a project.
Footpath between Bapton Close and Pound Lane
A letter written by an ex member of the Rights of Way Group had been sent to the Exmouth Journal to request that a handrail be fitted to the side of the path wall to aid the elderly when using this access path. The path had no ownership and therefore no funding was available to erect and maintain a handrail.
Repairs to picnic tables, benches and seats on the Exmouth to Budleigh Cycle path near Jarvis Close
The picnic table and bench supplied by the local WI along this route were now beyond repair. Could Clinton Estates or Littleham Ward Councillor, Eileen Wragg, (Community Grant) be approached for funding for a replacement.
Any other business
Councillor Bernard Hughes had stated at a recent Exmouth Community Association meeting that the path by the Shell garage on the Exeter Road had been identified as a private path so all access signs had been removed and a half and half barrier had been installed.
Date of the next meeting to be held on Tues 7th October at 3.30 pm. or at an earlier date should members request one.
Signed as a true record ………………………………………… Chair/Vice Chair
Name ……………………………………….. Date ……………………………….
Appendix
EXMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL TERMS OF REFERENCE
RIGHTS OF WAY WORKING PARTY
To exercise on behalf of the Council powers and duties within existing policies and practices of general concern to Exmouth excluding those matters specifically dealt with by another Committee.
To consider the extent to which local rights of way (footpaths, cycle tracks, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to traffic and any other undesignated paths) meet the present and likely future needs of Exmouth.
To consider the opportunities provided by local rights of way for exercise and other forms of open-air recreation and enjoyment.
To consider the accessibility of local rights of way to blind or partially sighted persons and others with mobility problems.
To maintain the public rights of way network in Exmouth, ensuring that it is signposted, maintained and free from obstruction.
To promote travel other than in cars, and to encourage respect for others and the environment.
To participate in the Parish Paths Partnership Scheme.
To provide information and advice to the Exmouth community on matters relating to public rights of way.
To give evidence at local public footpath enquiries as necessary.
To indentify other opportunities to extend the Public Rights of Way network in Exmouth.
To report back to the Town Council.
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